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Rev. John Philip Bcehm 



PREPARED FOR 

THE SESQUI-CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF BCEHM'S 

REFORMED CHURCH, IN WHITPAIN TOWNSHIP, 

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, 

HELD SEPTEMBER n, 1890. 



PRESENTED BY THE AUTHOR, 



HENRY S^OTTERER 




PHILADELPHIA, PA. 

1890. 



REV. JOHN PHILIP BCEHM 



Not later than the year 1720 John Philip Boehm came 
to Pennsylvania, bearing testimonials that he had been a faith- 
ful master of the parochial school and precentor in the Re- 
formed Church in the city of Worms, in Germany, for about 
seven years in succession, and that he was driven thence by 
the persecutions of the Roman Catholics for holding the Re- 
formed faith. 

Soon after his arrival in this province some of the Re- 
formed people, who since 17 10 had been coming from time to 
time from different parts of Germany and other places in 
Europe, as also from the neighboring settlements in New 
York and New Jersey, desired him to lead them in their re- 
ligious meetings by reading sermons and the Bible. As no 
minister of the gospel was at hand, he complied with their 
wishes and ministered to them in spiritual things acceptably 
for five years, without compensation, supporting his family by 
the labor of his hands. 

In the year 1725, the Reformed having increased and 
formed three congregations, entreated Reader Bcehm to as- 
sume and exercise among them all the functions of a minister 
of the Word of God. They now regarded him as "a man of 
more than common knowledge in the sound doctrine of truth, 
of praiseworthy life, and of exemplary zeal in resisting error 
and guarding the ignorant against it." He explained to them 
that, according to the order of the Reformed Church, he 
could not be their minister without ordination to the office. 
They continued their appeals to him, however, "protesting 
that he could not justify before God his refusal of so ne- 
cessary a work," and their unanimous request was considered 
by them to be " as lawful a call as was ever made upon any 
one." They were settled on the frontier, scattered over a 



wide range of the wilderness, their white neighbors holding 
all sorts of religious views, and the treacherous savages in 
the forests beyond, walking still in heathen darkness; and 
they were far removed from any Reformed ecclesiastical au- 
thority that could confer ordination. 

The pressure upon the pious reader was great. At 
length he was persuaded to take the yoke upon himself. 
He consented to become the minister of the three congre- 
gations, numbering all told fifty heads of families, and located 
at Faulkner's Schwamp (New Hanover), Schipback (Skippack) 
and Wit Marche (Whitemarsh), all within the limits of the 
present Montgomery county.* His remuneration was ar- 
ranged to consist only of such voluntary contributions as 
the poor pioneers could make. 

Bcehm now drew up a system of government for the 
charge,! which was approved by the consistories, read before 

*See Mercersburg Review, October, 1876, pp. 531-533. 

fThis was subsequently published. A copy is in the library of the Histori- 
cal Society of Pennsylvania. It contains 22 pages. Its full title is copied from 
"A Century of Printing." By Chas. R. Hildeburn, Phila. MDCCCLXXXVI. 
—Vol. II, page 479. 

" Der Reformierten Kirchen in Pennsylvanien Kirchen-Ordnung, Welche im 
Jahr 1725, von D. Johann Philipp Bohm, damahls von der versammelten Gliedern 
der Reformierten Kirchen einhellig erwahlten Prediger aufgestellet, und vor dei 
Menge der Glieder vorgelesen, welche alle Glieder vor nutzlich und gut gehalten, 
und auch willig angenommen haben. Nach Erwahlung der nothig geachten 
Aeltesten aber und mit gesammtlichen Rath derselben An die Wohlehrwiirdige 
und Hochgelehrte Herren Herren, Der Hoch-Ehrwiirdigen Classe von Amster- 
dam Correspondirende Predicanten, Gualterus DuBois, und Henricus Boel zu 
Neu-Yorck, und Vincentius Antonides von Langen Eyland zur Censur uberge- 
ben. Welche Dieselbe an gedachte Hoch-Ehrwurdige Classe von Amsterdam 
iiberschickt, von dieser Hochansehnlichen Versammlung vor gut und stifftlich 
erkennet und erlaubt. Und darauf auch bey denen aufgerichteten Gemeinden 
fest gestellet worden. Und wurden bis hierher verschiedene unter diese Ordnung 
sich submittirte Reformierte Gemeinden in gutem Frieden regieret. Weilen aber 
Das von denen Hoch-Ehrwiirdigen und Christlichen Synoden von Siid- und 
Nord-Holland verwilligte Coetus der Reform. Kirchen in Pennsylvanien, den 
letzen verwichenen 28 Sept. disz I748sten Jahrs in Philadelphia seinen ordentlich- 
und jahrlichen Sitz gehalten, und diese Ihme bekannt gemachte Kirchen-Ordnung 
vor nutzlich und heylsam angemercket, so hat dieses E. Coetus einstimmig 
beschlossen, dieselbe zu eines jeden Gliedes der Reformierten Kirchen ntitzlichen 
Nachricht offentlich im Druck zu befordern ; welches zu bewerckstelligen das 
gantze Ehrwiirdige Coetus iiberlassen an D. Johann Philipp Bohm, Prediger zum 
Falckner-Schwam, Providenz, und Witpen, p. t. Coetus Praeses. Philadelphia, 
gedruck bey Gotthard Armbriester, wohnhafft in der Arch-strasse, 1748." 

See also, in Mercersburg Review, October, 1876, pp. 536-540, translation of 
the "formerly adopted and now improved Church Ordinances" submitted in 1728 
to the Classis of Amsterdam. 



the congregations, and subscribed by the individual members. 

For three years, from 1725 to 1728, the unordained 
pastor diligently maintained service in the three congrega- 
tions. During this period he baptized more than two hun- 
dred children, besides various adults who came over from the 
sects that do not believe in baptism. 

But now murmurings arose. On the 21st of September, 
1727, George Michael Weiss, a regularly ordained clergyman, 
arrived from Germany, and was chosen pastor of the Re- 
formed congregation in the city of Philadelphia. Before the 
end of 1727 some of the congregation at Skippack began to 
make opposition to Pastor Boehm because of his lack of ordi- 
nation, and organized another congregation, taking as their 
minister Mr. Weiss, who thus soon after his arrival appeared 
upon the scene at Skippack.* 

The grave subject of the irregular assumption of the 
sacred orifice by Bcehm now claimed thoughtful consideration. 
Measures were at once inaugurated to remedy the defect. 
Pastor and people joined in efforts to bring this about. Mr. 
Bcehm and William DeWees were sent to confer with the 
Reformed authorities in the neighboring provinces, and on 
the 16th of May, 1728, laid the case before the ministers of 
New York city, who recommended that the matter be re- 
ferred to the Amsterdam Classis, in Holland. Under date of 
July, 1728, the consistories of the three congregations, there- 

*In a legal proceeding of the officers of the German Reformed Church of 
Philadelphia against Jacob Reiff, the counsel of the defendant filed an answer in 
court on the 4th day of September, 1733, which is preserved in the archives of the 
Reformed Church, of which Prof. J. H. Dubbs, D. D., of Lancaster, Pa., is the 
curator. From this document we copy: " It is true that in 1727 certain German 
protestants formed themselves into a religious society, as near as they could upon 
the model of the German reformed church ; and that they unanimously chose to 
themselves George Michael Weitzius (a/s Weiss) . . . for their Pastor ; and 
this Defendant saith that for the better Discipline and Government of the said 
Society they divided themselves into two Congregations, one of the said congrega- 
tions called the German reformed Church of Philadelphia and the other called the 
German Reformed Church of Skippack." The document further states that in 
1727 four church wardens or elders were elected for each congregation, viz. : Peter 
Lecolie, Johann Wilhelm Rohrich, Hendrick Weller and George Peter Hillengass, 
of Philadelphia ; and Wendel Keiber, Gerhart Indehaven, Christopher Schmidt 
and George Reiff, of Skippack. The document also says, " No new elders or war- 
dens have been elected since." 



fore, addressed a lengthy communication to the Amsterdam 
Classis, in which they set forth the exigency which induced 
Bcehm to assume irregularly the office of minister, and they 
prayed that he might now be ordained and that his past min- 
isterial acts be made valid. Under date of June 20, 1729, the 
Amsterdam Classis replied, declaring that in view of the at- 
tendant circumstances, "all the transactions of the said 
Bcehm, his teachings, even his administrations of baptism 
and of the Lord's Supper, and the members received, must be 
deemed lawful;" and they authorized the ministers of the 
Low Dutch congregation at New York to ordain Mr. Bcehm 
to the work of the ministry.* On Sunday afternoon, Novem- 
ber 23, 1729, he was ordained in the Reformed Church in 
the city of New York. He declared his submission to the 
Church order of the Synod of Dordrecht, and the three com- 
missioners present from the congregations confirmed this act 
with their signatures. Thus the three congregations became 
for the first time identified with and subordinate to an eccle- 
siastical authority, namely, the Reformed Church of Holland. 

On the 24th of November, 1729, the day following the 
ordination, a reconciliation was effected at New York, between 
John Philip Bcehm and George Michael Weiss, the terms of* 
which were written out in full, and signed by them and by the 
three commissioners. The two dominies from the heart for- 
gave each other whatever offence had been given, and prom- 
ised to forget and never bring it again into dispute. Bcehm 
was to continue to be pastor of the Falkner Swamp, Skippack 
and Whitemarsh congregations, and Weiss of the Philadelphia 
and Germantown congregations. One article of this agree- 
ment reads : 

"That Do. Weiss recognizes Do. Bcehm for the lawful, 
ordained, regular minister of the three aforesaid congregations: 
that Do. Weiss will stay away from Schipback, and will de- 

* For an account of the circumstances leading up to his ordination in Novem- 
ber, 1729, see the records of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of the city of 
New York, translated by Rev. T. W. Chambers, D. D., and printed in the Mer- 
cersburg Review, October, 1876, pp. 528-557. 



5 

clare to the congregations that he leaves that and the other 
two congregations entirely to Do. Boehm,as their lawful min- 
ister, that he may pursue his work in peace among the 
three." 

The Commissioners present at these proceedings in New 
York were Frederick Antes, of Falkner Swamp; Gabriel 
Schuler, of Skippack, and William Dewees, of Whitemarsh. 

Rev. Mr. Weiss did not continue long in the pastorate of 
the Philadelphia and Germantown churches. In the spring of 
1730, he went to Europe, accompanied by Jacob Reiff, of 
Skippack, for moneys collected there for the use of the Re- 
formed Churches of Pennsylvania.* He returned in 1731 to 
Philadelphia, but before November 23, 1732, he took the pas- 
torate of a Church in the Catskills, New York.f 

Upon the departure to Europe of Mr. Weiss, in the spring 
of 1730, the care of the Philadelphia and Germantown con- 
gregations, in addition to his three original congregations, 
devolved upon Mr. Boehm. 

The next decade in the ministry of our subject was with- 
out important events. J His field was large and laborious, 

*See History of " Skippack Reformed Church" in Lansdale (Pa.) Reporter, 
March 4, 1886, and Life of "Jacob Reiff, of Salford," in Schwenksville (Pa.), 
Item, both by Henry S. Dotterer, contained in " Historical Notes, Montgomery 
County." (scrap book) in library of Historical Society of Pennsylvania. 

f For further information regarding the career of Rev. George Michael Weiss 
see "A Monograph of the New Goschenhoppen and Great Swamp Reformed 
Charge, 1731 — 1881. By C. Z. Weiser, D. D. Reading, Pa. : 1882." 

J" The German Reformed had built a church there " (at Germantown), " in 
1 7 19, of which the Swedish Pastor, Dylander, had laid the corner-stone." See 
Hull's Reports, Reading, Pa., 1882. Vol. I, p. 62. "The German Reformed 
congregation in Germantown had a bell on their place of worship after 1725." 
— lb. p. 70. 

In 1729 John Philip Boehm was naturalized. — Pennsylvania Archives, Second 
Series, Vol. VII, p. 115. 

November 8, 1732, the German Reformed congregation of Germantown 
bought one-quarter acre of land, by the Germantown Market. John Bechtel, turn- 
er, Christopher Meng, mason, Jacob Bowman, carpenter, and George Bensel, held 
this property for the congregation, giving a deed of trust November 9, 1732, 
which is recorded May 7, 1771, in the office of Recorder of Deeds, Philadelphia. 

"The German Reformed built a small church in Germantown in 1733." 
Moravian Records. By W. C. Reichel. This may have been the second building. 

In 1734 Boehm baptized the first child at Egypt (North Whitehall town- 
ship, Lehigh County, Pa.) — Nevin's History of Heidelberg Catechism. 

On the 20th of January, 1736, he made an extract from the church record for 
Henry Antes, one of his parishioners. 

April 27, 1738, Pastor Boehm and his elder attended a meeting in New York, 



and constantly widening as immigration flowed in from Europe 
and the settlers penetrated farther inland. From the glimpses 
afforded, now and then, in the history of that primitive period, 
we know that he was constantly at his post, zealously per- 
forming his duties to his flocks, and patiently sharing in the 
hardships which the early settlers endured to procure a liveli- 
hood and establish homes for themselves. 

He needed assistance in caring for the people of the Re- 
formed confession. Occasionally help came, but it was weak 
and transitory. In 1730, John Peter Miller, a finely educated 
student of theology at Heidelberg, came and took charge of the 
Reformed congregation which had been formed at Tulpe- 
hocken. After ministering to them four years, he went over, 
in May, 1735, to the Seven-day Baptists, and in the Fall ol 
the same year moved to their settlement at Ephrata. In 173 1, 
Rev. John Barthomew Reiger came from Germany, and took 
charge of the Reformed congregation at Lancaster. He was 
also a physician. He remained at his post, and organized a 
number of congregations in his neighborhood ; but it does 
not appear that his work was marked by much success. In 
1 73 1, John Henry Goetschius, a minister from Zurich, came, 
served the Reformed at New Goshenhoppen,* and itinerated 
through a wide region ; but, without making any positive im- 
pression, he dropped out of the work in Pennsylvania in 1739, 
or earlier. 

at which preliminary steps were taken to form a Coetus. — Life of Rev. Michael 
Schlater. By Rev. H. Harbaugh, A. M. Page 55. 

December I, 1740, John Philip Boehm bought a tract of 200 acres on Saucon 
Creek, for ^"31, on which paid ^30. January 26, 1 741, he purchased another 
tract in Saucon, and made a payment thereon. 

*He opened a church record, which is now in the archives of Rev. Dr. C. 
Z. Weizer's New Goshenhoppen (Pennsburg, Pa.) congregation, with this striking 
caption: "Joh. Henricus Goetchius, V. 1). M., Helvetia? Tiguri, et Pronuncias 
Veritatum Schippach, Alt Coshcnhopen, New Coshenhopen, Schwam, Sacen, 
^Egipten, Macedonia, Missillem, Oli, Bern, Dolpenhaten," which, converted into 
modern terms, is understood to mean ; John Henry Goetschy, Minister of the 
Word of God of Zurich, Switzerland, and preacher of the Truth at Skippack, 
Old Goshenhoppen, New Goshenhoppen, Swamp, Saucon, Egypt, Macedonia, 
Moselem, Oley, Bern, Tulpehocken. 

He also opened a church record at Egypt, now North Whitehall township, 
Lehigh county, Pa. 



In the year 1740, an event of particular interest to us here 
assembled, occurred in Pastor Boehm's pastorate. It was the 
erection of a small stone church on the spot where Boehm's 
church now stands. Schlatter in his Journal fixes the date 
and mentions the fact. 

But while tranquillity reigned in the Reformed commu- 
nion during the period of 1730 to 1 740, there was going on 
among- the various denominations of the Province, intense re- 
ligious agitation. 

The principle of religious toleration which William Penn 
incorporated in his government, brought hither people of 
all shades of faith. But, strange to say, dissensions in regard 
to doctrine became violent and widespead. " Pennsylvania is 
a complete Babel," said one.* The serene founder of our 
Commonwealth could never have dreamed of such a result 
from his provision for freedom of conscience. It is indeed 
astounding that a community, guaranteed liberty in this respect, 
should have become involved in religious strife and have been 
overwhelmed by the spirit of bigotry. Fanaticism, proselytism, 
confuison and schism were abroad in the land. An ominous 
cloud hung over the Church of Christ. 

Pastor Boehm went peaceably on with his work, little if 
at all disturbed by the contentions around him. 

But suddenly, in 1741, a bolt out of the over-arching 
gloom descended upon our Reformed Church, threatening it 
with disruption and destruction. The faithful shepherd was 
watchful in the hour of unexpected danger, and safely led the 
church through its crucial trial. 

On the 24th of November, 1741, Count Zinzendorf, of 
Germany, came to Philadelphia, and soon after his arrival 
placed himself at the head of a scheme to bring about unity 
among the various religious denominations — particularly of 
the Germans — in Pennsylvania. The Count, in 1734, entered 
the Lutheran ministry, and in 1737 was consecrated a bishop 

*" About this time ( 1 734) there were great disturbances in church circles in Penn- 
sylvania, so that many were so confused that they no longer knew what to believe." 
— Chronicon Ephratense. Translated from the original German, by J. Max Hark, 
D. D. Lancaster: 1889." P. 70. 



8 

of the Church of the United Brethren, or Moravians. In the 
former character he came to this province. 

Almost immediately after his arrival here, certain active 
christian men, of the different persuasions, took position in 
support of the Count's design; among them Henry Antes, of 
the Falkner Swamp Reformed congregation, and John Bech- 
tel, of the Germantown Reformed congregation. Henry Antes 
issued the call dated from his home in Frederick township, 
December 15, 1741, for the first meeting, to be held in Ger- 
mantown on New Year's day, 1742. The organization which 
followed is known in history as the "Congregation of God in 
the Spirit." The prevailing restlessness in religious circles 
favored the movement. Its avowed purpose was, not to super- 
cede the existing religious societies, but to form a superior 
organization of sincere followers of Jesus, who should cultivate 
the higher graces of the christian life, guide by their pious in- 
fluence the bodies they represented, and maintain a godly 
fellowship, leaving the congregations to attend to minor and 
temporal affairs as before. 

The times were not ripe for this ideal union. Even in 
the advanced light of our own day, the sighings for a melting 
into one of the many branches of the church, on the basis of 
the simple doctrines essential to salvation as taught by the lips 
and life of Jesus, are vain; and we must yet awhile longer suf- 
fer the conflicts raging between variant confessions, and grope 
amid the mystifications of involved theologies, before we may 
see, unobscured, the Light of the world, and accept with one 
heart the Redeemer of mankind. 

The movement led by Count Zinzendorf soon met with 
strong opposition from the main bodies of the churches and 
sects whose integrity was threatened. 

Pastor Boehm at once took measures to protect the im- 
perilled Reformed Church. He came in collision with the 
Count at the very start, and under peculiar circumstances. 

At that time and to the end of 1741, the Lutheran and 
Reformed congregations in Philadelphia worshipped in a frame 



9 

building* on Mulberry (Arch) street, above Fifth street, ad- 
joining the -Friends' burying ground. The two congregations 
used the building on alternate Sundays. 

On Christmas day, 1741 (Friday), the Reformed congre- 
gation had their usual service; and as the following Sunday, 
the 27th, they were entitled to the use of the church, Pastor 
Boehm did not go out to his home in Whitpain, but remained 
in town from Friday to Sunday. A responsible member of 
the Lutheran Church, fixed upon Saturday for the festival ser- 
vice of the Lutheran congregation. Mr. Boehm acceded to a 
request from this gentleman — that congregation being without 
a regular pastor and no Lutheran minister being at hand — to 
read a sermon and conduct the regular Lutheran service, as 
he had done a number of times before, on the same person's 
authority. At the appointed time Mr. Boehm and some of 
his elders and members proceeded to attend the service of the 

* In November, 1734, the Reformed and Lutheran congregations rented this 
house. 

In the Lutheran church book (preserved in the library of the Historical So- 
ciety of Pennsylvania), kept during the pastorate of John Caspar Stoever, is an ac- 
count of repairs to the house, made in July, 1735, as follows : 

For boards ^2 15 o 

The carter for hauling 030 

For hauling lime 039 

The carpenter I 13 o 

For shingles . ,. o 2 6 

For 17^ lb. nails, from Strohhauer o 14 7 

For 12 lbs. more nails • . . o 10 o 

For a stick of wood 01 I 

For white- washing the schoolhouse 010 

Carrying the benches into the other house 010 

For beer and rum during the work 088 

For locksmith's work o 7 10 

£7 1 5 
One-half of this ^3 10 8^ 

The division in two parts of the costs shows that the Lutherans paid but one- 
half, and indicates that the Reformed paid the other half. 

It must have been poorly adapted for church purposes. It is alluded to in 
disparaging terms by all hands. In the Weekly Mercitry, September 2, 1 742, it 
is called " an old rotten house, which soon may fall to pieces." 

When Schlatter came, in 1746, he speaks of it as an old, small house built of 
boards, and as "the old, half- fallen church," for which a rent of £4. yearly was 
paid. Muhlenberg says it was formerly a butcher-shop. The Moravian account 
says it had been a carpenter shop. It belonged to Andrew Hamilton, Esq., until 
his death, which occurred about the beginning of 1742, when it passed into the 
ownership of his son-in-law, Justice William Allen. 



IO 

Lutherans on Saturday, but when they approached the meet- 
ing-house, they saw to their surprise a crowd of people in the 
street, among them many members of both congregations. 
Ignorant of the cause of the commotion, they made inquiry 
and learned that it was due to the announcement that Count 
von Zinzendorf was to preach, having been invited by several 
Lutheran members, but that many of the Lutheran congrega- 
tion were opposed to his doing so. Boehm and his members, 
however, as it did not concern the Reformed, remained silent 
until several of the Lutheran party (among them elders) asked 
him what he had to say to this. He replied : " I think I have 
more information in regard to these things than you all, and 
hence will protest against any one saying that from the Re- 
formed side (or from me) consent was given to Count Zinzen- 
dorf to preach at the time or place of the Reformed side. To 
you Lutherans, we Reformed have nothing to enjoin. If you 
do anything against yourselves, we will have no part in what 
may grow out of it."* Nothing came of it, however; the 
Count remained away, and preached that evening and also on 
the following day, Sunday, in his own house. 

Boehm was unjustly charged with being the cause of this 
disturbance. He was familiar with the standing of Count 
Zinzendorf in Europe, having read a work recently issued in 
opposition to Moravianism and the Count. He suspected 
that the Count's coming as a Lutheran preacher was a false 
pretense, and that at heart he was still a Moravian. Mr. 
Boehm's antipathy to the Moravians was exceedingly strong. 
The Lutheran congregation in Philadelphia was without a 
pastor, and they were anxious to have one; but Mr. Boehm 
felt that Count Zinzendorf was not a legitimate Lutheran, and 
not the person they would choose if they were fully informed 
as to his antecedents; and he intimated this to them as plainly 
as the circumstances permitted. 

Considerable stir arose about the incident just narrated. 
It was the beginning of a series of misunderstandings. The 

*Boehm's Getrener Warnungs Brief, page 21. 



worshippers in the joint church building were divided into 
three parties — the Zinzendorfian Lutherans, the anti-Zinzen- 
dorflan Lutherans and the Reformed. 

Shortly after this, May 19th, 1742, a considerable portion 
of the Lutheran congregation accepted Count Zinzendorf as 
their pastor ; and as the Count purposed devoting a large por- 
tion of his time to developing the union movement in the in- 
terior and to missionary work among the Indians, an adjunct 
or assistant pastor, in the person of John Christopher Pyr- 
laeus, was also chosen. 

On the first of January, 1742, an agreement* had been 
made by which the Lutherans were to have the use of the 
church three-fourths of the time, and the Reformed one- 
fourth. On Sunday, January 10th, 1742, being the Luther- 
an's day, the Count preached for them. But before doing so 

*In the Budingische Sammlung, 1744, is found this interesting paper: 

Contract between the Reformed and Lutheran in Philadelphia concerning the 
church held jointly by them. 

To-day has been made an Agreement between both the German Congrega- 
tions, as follows, viz. : 

We here German Congregation Reformed gives up to the German Lutheran 
Congregation one Part of the House, which has been hired of Mr. Hamilton, for 
the common Use, and that with this Condition, that the said Lutheran Congrega- 
tion shall pay three Pounds out of four, which is the whole yearly Rent due for 
the said House to Mr. Hamilton. The Reformed Congregation on the other side, 
for their fourth Part of the House, shall pay one Pound. Since this Lease doth 
last yet 19 Months, therefore the said Reformed Congregation, will keep it in her 
own hands, that, if they should meet with a Minister who would preach to them 
twice in a Month, They, the Lutheran Congregation, should be obliged to resign 
their third Part of the Meeting-House to them again without the least Hesitation 
or money. 

To the Confirmation and Assurance of this Matter we made two writings of 
the same Tenor of which each Party has one. 

Dated Philadelphia the 1st of January 1742. 

Matthew Schutz, 

Jacob Friederic Klem, 

Leonard Herman, 

Philip Christopher Warner. 

The names signed to this agreement are those of the Lutheran representa- 
tives. The names of the Reformed parties were no noubt signed to the copy held 
by the Lutheran congregation. 

In August, 1744, when the lease terminated, the Lutherans went into their 
new brick church. December 6, 1747, the Reformed first worshipped in their 
new but unfinished church on Race street, below Fourth. 



12 

— for what reason it is not clear — he addressed a letter* to 
Mr. Boehm, asking whether he had any objections. To this 

*The Count sent the following letter by special messenger to Pastor Boehm, 
at his home in Whitpain. 

" My Dear Mr. Boehm : 

" The officers of the Lutheran denomination, in which I have been born and 
educated, and on the basis of which I stand, in the service of our Church, have 
solicited me to preach in your church. I cannot well deny them in this, because, 
in Germany, up to within a few days of my embarking for this country, I had 
accepted similar invitations in many towns and places of the Lutheran religion, 
willingly preaching the Gospel everywhere, in accordance with good order. But 
because I know that you preach in the same church, and I am not inclined to the 
doctrine of an absolute reprobation, as a doctrine which, in my religion, is con- 
fessedly held as wholly and fundamentally erroneous, I have thought it proper to 
enquire of you whether you have a right to present aught against my preaching 
there, since I do not wish to burden any one, or interfere with his rights ; as also 
on the other hand, I do not wish to see the rights of the evangelical officers 
diminished. Meanwhile, I would say that I have never yet entered a pulpit 
against the will of any man who held authority there ; and, in this case, I find the 
circumstances such that it is my duty first to make enquiry of Mr. Boehm; after 
which, I shall act as I find it proper before the Lord. 

"• I remain yours ready to serve, 

" Ludwig von Thurnstein, 
"V. D. M. Eccl. Mor. E. E. 
" Philadelphia 8-1 9, January '41-1742. 

" An acknowledgment is necessary, and if Pastor Boehm is not at home, it is 
to be sent to him, so that if possible an answer may be received to-morrow 
evening. 

" The messenger will be paid in Philadelphia." 

The Count enjoyed a number of titles. In his public religious work in 
Pennsylvania he generally used that signed to the foregoing letter. 

This was the reply of Mr. Boehm : 

"The letter from Count Zinzendorf under date of 8th January, 1742, trans- 
mitted to me from Philadelphia through Michael Hahn I have this day received, 
which is herewith certified to Mr. Hahn. The desired answer to its contents, 
namely, whether I have a right to present anything against the Count's preaching 
in the church, which is possessed by both our evangelical congregations, cannot, 
at this time, for reasons, be so immediately given as is desired. 

" I adhere, accordingly, to the words which, on the 26th of December, 1 741, 
were spoken to the elders on the evangelical Lutheran side ; at least to some of 
them. Thus : I chink I have more information in regard to these things than you 
all, and hence will be understood as protesting, if any one should say that per- 
mission was given from the Reformed side, or from me, to Count Zinzendorf, to 
preach at the time and place belonging to us, the Reformed. To you who are 
Lutherans, we Reformed have nothing to enjoin on your own time. If you do 
anything against yourselves, we will have no part in what may grow out of it. 
Standing on this ground, I am and remain, towards every sincere person, 
A friendly and submissive servant, 

Joh. Ph. Bcehm, 

Ref. Minister. 
" Philad. County, Whitpain 
Township, Jan. 8, 1742." 

Boehm says he did not deem it necessary or advisable to answer so quickly ; 
but out of consideration for the messenger, who was a laborer, he penned the fore- 
going acknowledgment. As regards the Count's letter he says : " I cannot think 



13 

Mr. Boehm replied in the same words he had used on the 
26th of December in speaking to the Lutherans at the church 
in regard to the subject. 

A series of incidents occurred, both at Philadelphia and 
in the country, calculated to produce greater friction between 
Boehm and Zinzendorf.* 

The most serious encounter between the contending 
parties in the meeting house in Philadelphia, took place on 
Sunday, July 18, 17.42, when assistant pastor Pyrlaeus was 
ejected from the building by two ruffians, incited by the pre- 
vailing embittered feeling. This created great excitement in 
the community, and one or more law suits grew out of it. 

that it was written from a sincere and worthy motive, but more likely in the hope 
to entrap me into an unconsidered answer, which might injure our Reformed 
church and bring dissension into it, that he might better accomplish his design." 

On Easter Monday, 1742, the Count desired to hold communion in the joint 
church in Philadelphia, but as that day was controlled by the Reformed congrega- 
tion Mr. Boehm refused permission. Boehm was curt in his refusal, according to 
his own words : " Als es aber dahin kam, dass er ihnen den Ostermontag bis 
Jahrs, das Abendmahl in der Kirchen halten wolte (welches ich aber, weil es 
meine Zeit und Platz war, als ich darum von Pyrlaeus, einem seiner Apostel 
ersucht worden, rund abgeschlagen, damit sie sich nicht auch der Reformirten 
ruhmen mochten)." 

On Sunday, May 30, 1742, Boehm says, the Count urged his people in Phila- 
delphia to rent the meeting-house for their use alone, and he offered to pay the 
one-quarter of the rent then paid by the Reformed, in order that Boehm might be 
prevented from preaching in it. 

*At Germantown, on December 31, 1741, the Count was invited to preach in 
the Reformed church, of which Mr. Boehm was pastor, but of course contrary to 
his wishes. The fifth conference of the leaders of the Zinzendorf movement was 
also held April 17-20, 1742, in this church. John Bechtel, a turner by trade, of 
Germantown, was a member of the Reformed congregation there, and for fifteen 
years past had occasionally preached in the church. Count Zinzendorf ordained 
Bechtel as a Reformed minister in the Church of God in the Spirit. On the sec- 
ond day of Easter (1742), Boehm says in his Warmings Brief, Bechtel arranged 
to administer the communion to the Reformed in Germantown, and some re- 
ceived it from him ; and Bechtel announced that on Whit-Monday the Reformed 
of Germantown and vicinity would organize a congregation in the Reformed 
Church, and requested those who wished to become members to sign their names ; 
which seventeen or eighteen did. 

" Eurther, on Sunday (in April, 1742), at the Reformed church in German- 
town, at the evening hour of prayer in the church, Bishop Nitschmann and Lud- 
wig (Zinzendorf) consecrated the turner, J. Bechtel, who for many years had 
preached here, to the office of inspector, overseer and teacher over the other Re- 
formed preachers." — Fresenius Nachrichten, Dritter Band. Frankfurt or Leipzig, 
1748, p. 183. 

" Ludwig notified Pastor Boehm shortly after he should not allow himself to 
think it strange that Bechtel had been appointed inspector of the Reformed 
preachers ; he might put himself under his authority, etc. Mr. Boehm is said to 
have given a sharp answer." — lb. 193. 



Contradictory and biased statements appeared in print in rela- 
tion to this deplorable occurrence.* 

*Since 1733 the Lutherans of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania in most touch- 
ing terms beseeched their church authorities in Germany to send a regular pastor, 
but because of the inability of the poor Pennsylvanians to provide a minister 
comfortable support their wants had not been supplied. Count Zinzendorf repre- 
sented himself as a Lutheran minister. In spite of the undisguised aversion of 
Boehm to Zinzendorf, the Lutherans chose the Count for their minister. Zinzen- 
dorf claimed that the call was unanimous ; but as it did not bear the signatures of 
the members, he was not justified in making his claim ; and subsequent events 
showed that he was mistaken. After Zinzendorf had preached,several times to the 
Lutherans they became distrustful, and each of the Lutheran officers took away 
from the church some article for safe keeping : one took a copper chalice, another 
the klingenbeutel, another the alms-box, another the church register. Afterwards, 
one of the Lutheran wardens, Thomas Meyer (who as far back as February 28,. 
1735, had joined the other officers in an appeal to Prof. Franke, at Halle, for a 
minister )]put a lock on the meeting house. Boehm in his blunt way says : "Diegen- 
ige aus der Lutherischen Gemeinde (welche niemalen nichts mitihm [Zinzendorf] 
zer thun haben wolten) zu weiterem Nachdencken,und wurden samt den anderen 
gewahrn, dass ein lauterer Betrug an ihnen verubet worden, und ihre Sache nur 
eitel falsche List war, schlossen deswegen ihnen die Kirche zu, weil sie nicht als 
Lutherische erfunden wurden." On the following Sunday, July 18, 1 742, when 
the people came to church, they found the door was locked. A messenger was sent 
to Thomas Meyer for the key, but he was not at home. The Lutheran adherents- 
of Zinzindorf then forced an entrance by breaking the lock with a piece of iron and 
pincers. Mr. Pyrlaeus, who was to preach (the Count being in the interior on a 
mission to the Indians), entered the pulpit and began the services. Then a Lu- 
theran elder went to Mr. Pyrlaeus and admonished him to leave the house with 
the people. Mr. Pyrlaeus said : " You are no Lutherans ; you are going the wrong 
way." Four young men then pulled Pyrlaeus from the pulpit and dragged him 
out of the church. The Moravian official report, July 25, 1742, in Budingische 
Sam Vol. p. 83, says: " Mitten unterdem Gottesdienst kamen 4 Bose Buben in 
die Kirch, rieffen ; Schlagt den Hund todt ; rissen den Prediger von der Canzel 
herunter, schleifften ihn zur Kirche hinaus, stiessen ihn mit Tussen." There was 
a great tumult in the church ; the people trod upon each other, women screamed, 
and a crowd of spectators gathered. The lock-breakers were arrested. Count Zinzen- 
dorf, upon hearing of this affair, hurried back from Tulpehocken. The following 
Sunday. July 25, the Reformed were entitled to use the church, and it was 
crowded. Zinzendorf was present and, after the service was ended, spoke to the 
people present about the occurrence of the preceding Sabbath, and announced 
his intention to maintain the rights of his people at all hazards. The next Sun- 
duy, August I, 1742, as the Lutherans were in the meeting-house ready to begin 
their devotions with singing, the Count and his people came in. The Lutheran 
deacons earnestly warned him to leave and not disturb them, when he withdrew. 
Zinzendorf about this time began to realize that all the Lutherans were not on his 
side, and that the Reformed could not alone be held accountable for the recent 
disturbances in Philadelphia; for in the Pennsylvania Gazette, of August 26, 1742, 
he publishes, over the signature of " Lewis of Thurnstein," one of his titles, a 
" memorandum," in which are these paragraphs : 

VIII. —That the Tumult and Disturbance of the Publick Worship, and the 
Insults committed against Reverend J. C. Pyrlaeus on the 1 8th of July last were 
made by none but Calvinists. 

IX. — That if some Lutherans should be privately concerned in it (for possi- 
bly this is not to all of them an Action below them) yet they must be conscious of 
their having no Right in the Matter, since the Reverned of Thurnstein had not 
heard one of their Names before the mentioned Fact. 



15 

About this time appeared a German pamphlet, entitled 
Authentische Relation, giving the official proceedings of the 

On the 29th of December, 1742, the Count had still further modified his 
views as to the authors of the opposition to him in the old frame church on 
Arch street. On this day the Count and the Rev. Mr. Muhlenberg (who had 
meanwhile come to America and been regularly accepted as pastor of the Lutheran 
congregation in Philadelphia, and who had succeeded in bringing back from Zin- 
zendurf to himself all the officers) had an interview, in which the Count spoke of 
those who formed Mr. Muhlenberg's congregation, in these words : 

" These are not Lutherans, but rebels, disturbers of the peace ! And of such 
people you have become the head, and preach to them in the house from which 
they expelled my adjunct, Pyrlaeus." 

The Count's party did not occupy the union building after the affair of July 
18. The Count built at his own expense a new church at the corner of Race 
street and Broad street, which was completed the latter part of the year, and which 
was thereafter known as the Moravian church. 

Before closing this narrative of the quarrel of July 18, the views of another 
authority are added. This is Secretary Peters, who wrote a letter to the Proprie- 
taries on the 15th of January, 1743, in reference to the difference between the 
haughty nobleman and the humble pastor. Peters could not fathom the true char- 
acter of the triangular controversy going on amongst the Cerman churchmen. He 
had so far mastered the subject as to call Zinzendorf's followers Moravians; he 
did not know, it seems, of such a people as the Reformed ; Pastor Boehm he 
described as the Lutheran minister ; but of Pastor Muhlenberg he seems to have 
had no knowledge. His graphic picture of Pastor Boehm may be regarded as 
approaching correctness more nearly than his other statements, and on this ac- 
count only is this unreliable witness quoted. Secretary Peters writes : 

" There is a great quarrel between ye Lutherans and Moravians, chiefly on 
account of principles. The Count's party increasing considerably, the Lutheran 
minister, Philip Boehm, could not bear it. The Lutheran meeting-house is on a 
lot of Mr. Allen's, and by contract with the Lutherans, as I understand, ye Mora- 
vians were to use it every third Sunday. Philip Boem wanted to hinder them 
from this contract, and finding no other method would do, one Sunday morning, 
as Christopher Pyrlaeus was performing Divine service, a party of Lutheranes ap- 
peared at ye door, and one of them came in and told Pyrlaeus some people wanted 
to speak with him at ye door. He took no notice. . . . Ye Lutherans then 
came on with violence, and drove him and the Moravians out of the meeting- 
house, and locked ye doors. The Count got ye Lutherans indicted for a riot. . . 
At the trial, ye Lutherans were acquitted. There is indeed a mortal aversion be- 
tween Boehm's congregation and ye Count's people. ... I tried to soften 
and accommodate ye differences between ye two parties, and thought I had some 
influence on Boehm ; but ye moment I mentioned it his eyes perfectly struck fire, 
and he declared with great passion he would as soon agree with ye devil as with 
ye Count. He is a hot, indiscreet man ; and after expatiating on the Christianity of 
his temper, I left him with abundance of contempt." 

Authorities used in the foregoing note: 

Boehm's Getreuer Warnungs Brief. Page 21. 

Spangenberg's Life of Count Zinzendorf. English Translation. London, 
1838, Page 298. 

Unitas Fratrum (periodical), for December, 1870. 

Budingische Sammlung. 

Frensenius Nachrichten. Vol. 3., p. 205. Translation of Moravian Histor- 
ical Society. 

Dr. W. Germann's Henrich Melchior Muhlenberg. Selbstbiographie, 1711- 
1743. Allentown, Pa. : 1881. Page 1 39- 1 41. 

Weekly Mercury, September 2, 1742. 

Dr. William J. Mann's Life and Times of Henry Melchior Muhlenberg. 
Philadelphia: 1887. Page 118. 



i6 

several conferences — seven in number — held by Zinzendorf 
and his friends in the union movement. 

Boehm followed, under date of August 23, 1742, with a 
letter of warning — a pamphlet entitled Getreuer Warnungs 
Brief* — addressed to the Reformed congregations of Pennsyl- 

" :f The only known existing copy of this publication is owned by Hon. Samuel 
W. Pennypacker, LL. D., of Philadelphia. It contains 100 pages, small 8 vo. 
Its full title is : Getreuer Warnungs BRIEF an die Hochteutsche Evangelisch Re- 
formirten Gemeinden und alien deren Glieder in PENZYLVANIEN, zur 
getreuer Warschauung vor denen Leuthen, welche unter den nahmen von HERRN- 
HUTHER bekandt seyn Umb sich vor derer Seelverderblichen und Gewissen- 
verwustenden Lehre zu huthen und wohl vorzusehen, damit sie nicht Durch den 
schein ihres euferlichen scheinheiligen Wesens, und selbst eingebildeten Gerech- 
tigkeit und Heiligkeit, zu ihrer Seelen ewigen schaden, mogen verfuhrt werden. 
Nach dem Exempel eines Ehrwurdigen KIRCHEN-R.ATIIS von Amsterdam in 
Holland, Und am, vor dem Allmachtigen Gott-tragender Pflicht und Schuldigkeit 
halben, gesschrieben von mir Jon: Ph: Bohm, Hochteutschem Reform: Prediger 
der mir anvertrauten Gemeinden in Pensylvanien. Zu Philadelphia : Gedruckt bey 
A: Bradford, 1742. 

In the preface he says : " I doubt not I shall have small thanks from those 
who do not wish to see their unworthiness exposed for writing the following Let- 
ter of Warning. But my duties to God, and the everlasting well-being of the souls 
of the sheep entrusted to me by the great High Shepherd Jesus, is to me a largely- 
multiplied motive, to seek the favor and affection of such persons as are under the in- 
fluence of the teachings of the Moravians, which are contrary to the Word of God 
and at variance with eternal truth ; the merciful God will for Jesus' sake preserve 
me from them." 

The names of the elders and deacons of the named High German Reformed 
Congregation in Pennsylvania, 1742, in the months of February and March, are 
given as follows : 

I Joh: Dirk den Hengst, E. 
Joh: Dunckel, E. 

Im Falctner — J Fridrich Reimer, E. 

Schwamp, j Joh: Jacob Kraus, E. 

I Joh: Ditrich Bucher, D. 
I Adam Roder, D. 
f Adam Myrer, E. 

Zu Schipbach, J > c ° b Ar " et ' E- 

r Andreas Overbeck, E. 

[_ Henrich Wuhrmann, D. 
f Willem Dewees, E. 
Auf Weitmarge, J Christopher Ottinger, E. 
& ' \ Michael Cleim, D. 
[_ Philips Scherer, D. 

Rudolff W T eilecken, E. 

Henrich Klemmar, E. 

Jacob Walter, E. 

Niclas Ewig, E. 

John Ludwig Seipel, D. 

Philip Burckhard, D. 

{Sebastian Graf, E. 
Fredrich Leibi, E. 
Henrich Werner, D. 



In Philadelphia, 



17 

vania. He had been earnest and energetic in putting his 
church people on their guard against the disintegrating ten- 
dencies of the union movement, so far as the Reformed Church 
was concerned, having visited the several congregations and 
obtained the endorsement of the officers who stood steadfast, 
in the Churches at Falkner Swamp, Skippack, Whitemarsh, 
Philadelphia, Oley and Tulpehocken. The language employed 
in the pamphlet was vigorous and incisive. He criticized un- 
sparingly the acts of, the conferences, exposed Zinzendorf's 
past history, denounced Moravianism, mourned the defection 
of Henry Antes, and upbraided Bechtel and the other Re- 
formed followers of Zinzendorf. 

George Neisser, school master at Bethlehem, replied to 
Boehm's Warnungs Brief, in terms more passionate than po- 
lite.* 

Under date of May 19, 1743, Boehm issued a broadside,f 
directed particularly against Jacob Lischy, John 'Bechtel and 
Henry Antes, who had been ordained to the ministry as Re- 
formed members in the Church of God in the Spirit. 

He says, in this publication, "As regards Henry Antes, a 
few weeks since, in reply to the question put by a person : 
How can you call yourself Reformed, when you go with the 
Moravians and take communion with them ? He answered : 
Why how inquisitive you are ! Can I not on this account be 



In Dolpihacken, 



f Henrich Meyer, E. 

Henrich Zeller, E. 

Georg Unruh, E. 
] Martin Schell, E. 

Johannes Fohre, D. 
I Peter Schell, D. 

The book closes thus : 

So Billet und Wunschet von Hertzen, 

Joh: Phi. Bohm, 
Paediger der ihme anvertrauten Hoehtentschen, 
Eo: Ref. : Gemeinden in Pensylvanien. 
Auf Witpens Township, in Philadelphia County, den 23 Aug. 1742. 

*The title of Neisser's book is : Aufrichtige Nachricht ans Publicum uber 
eine von dem Hollondischen Pfarrer Joh. Phil. Bohmen, Lasterschrifft gegen die 
sogenannten Herrnhuter." 

f Judge Pennypacker has a copy — possibly, the only one extant. 



iS 

Reformed ? I am Reformed, I am also Lutheran, I am also 
a Mennonite, a Christian is everything," etc. 

Mr. Boehm was deeply grieved by the course of Henry 
Antes. In the Palatinate he had known the pastor under 
whose instructions Henry Antes was brought into the Church 
of Christ. 

Antes was one of those who, in 1725, with his tears 
helped to persuade Boehm to assume the ministerial office. 
Boehm officiated, on the second of February, 1726, at the 
marriage of Henry Antes and Christina Elizabeth DeWees, 
at Whitemarsh. There was a warm intimacy between the 
pastor and parishioner, until about the year 1737, when the 
latter became acquainted with Spangenberg, the Moravian, 
and later through him with Zinzendorf. "I cannot find 
words," says Boehm in his Warnungs Brief, " to express my 
astonishment at Henry Antes, who several years since, for 
questionable reasons, severed his connection with our Re- 
formed congregation in Falkner's Swamp; with whom I 
spoke several times about necessary matters, but whose re- 
marks left me in strong hopes all the time that he would 
finally, through God's mercy, come back to the right path." 
And again, " He knows full well how our hearts were former- 
ly bound together in a cordial love for the divine truth of our 
Reformed teachings. . . . This love, for my part, I have 
not forgotten, and, although I have been deeply wounded by 
him, I shall never cease to beseech the Almighty in my 
prayers to bring him, together with all the erring ones, 
through the power of the Holy Ghost back to the right." 

Boehm's trenchant pamphlet stemmed the tide of seces- 
sion from the Reformed Church. The congregations gathered 
courage, the wavering came back, and the membership again 
became firmly knit together. 

The unity movement, under assaults from many sides, 
weakened. The Moravian influence was strong in it from the 
beginning; and gradually it became distinctly Moravian, and 
the individuals in it from the other denominations ceased to 



19 

claim to be representatives of the churches which they had 
forsaken. 

November 25, 1742, Rev. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, 
sent by the Lutherans of Germany, arrived at Philadelphia, 
and before the end of the year had succeeded in collecting 
together most of the scattered fragments of the Lutheran 
congregation in Philadelphia, and gaining control. 

December 31, 1742, Zinzendorf delivered his farewell 
sermon in Philadelphia, and immediately thereafter he took 
his departure, sailing on the 9th of January, 1743, from New 
York for Europe. 

The storm was past. Pastor Boehm again performed his 
pastoral duties in peace. He was now old. Although the 
work was growing greater, he did not complain, but submis- 
sively performed his task. After five years more had elapsed 
help came. On the 6th of September, 1746, Rev. Michael 
Schlatter arrived at Philadelphia, having been sent by the 
Reformed Church authorities of Holland to superintend the 
work in Pennsylvania. On the following day he came out to 
Whitpain to visit the aged servant of the Lord. They con- 
ferred earnestly as to the state of the Church and its 
pressing needs. Readily, Pastor Boehm acquainted the 
young superintendent with all the details. Soon his tired 
shoulders were relieved of some of the burden. 

Schlatter himself assumed the care of the Philadelphia 
and Germantown congregations. In 1746 Rev. George 
Michael Weiss came back from New York State, became 
pastor of the Old Goshenhoppen, New Goshenhoppen and 
Great Swamp congregations, and was otherwise active in 
carrying forward the Church work. In 1748 Rev. John Philip 
Leydich came from Holland, and was placed, at the earnest 
request of Father Boehm, in charge of the Falkner Swamp 
and Providence (Trappe) congregations. 

Mr. Boehm continued to preach in the church bearing 
his name, and he consented, January 29th, 1749, to care for 
the Macungie and Egypt congregations. He was present 
and was Secretary at the formation of the Synod of the Ger- 



20 

man Reformed Church in Philadelphia on the 29th of Sep- 
tember, 1747, and for the year 1748-49 he was its President. 

Rev. John Philip Boehm died suddenly, during the night, 
on the 29th of April, 1749.* The day previous he held ser- 
vice preparatory to the celebration of the Holy Communion 
in the congregation at Egypt in the present Lehigh county. 
Mr. Schlatter at the time was away on missionary work. As 
no Reformed minister was at hand, Martin Kolb, a worthy 
neighbor and religious teacher of the Mennonite persuasion, 
was called in to preach his funeral sermon. Thus passed 
away in the fulness of years this true disciple of Christ. In 
the midst of his work, while yet in the harness, he was called 
to his reward on high. 

The labors of John Philip Boehm extended over a period 
of nearly thirty years. His parish was Pennsylvania.. When 
he began, in 1720, the Indians were still numerous, having 
been little disturbed by the sprinkling of white settlers in these 
parts. To these children of the forest, the man of God going 
about — his mission a mystery to them — was a familiar figure. 
He was doing his work here seven years before Weiser came 

*In Saur's Germantown newspaper of May 16, 1749, is an account of his 
death in these words : 

Am 29 Aprill in der Nacht ist der Herr Pfarrer Johann Philip Bcehm gestor- 
ben ohne vorherige Kranckheti, den er hat den Tag vorhernoch die Vorbereitung 
zum Nachtmahl gehalten. Es hat sich so gefuegt dass kein Reformirter Pfarrer 
zu haben war der ihm die Leich-Predigt gethan haette ; so hatten sie den Martin 
Kolb einen Menisten Lehrer kommen lassen, der die Leich-Predigt gethan. Wan 
solches und dergleichen ohne Noth gehreeuchlich und gemein wird, so wird aller 
partheyliche Neid und Wiederigkeit ein ende nehmen. Wie schcen wirds ein 
mahl seyn Wann nur ein Hirt und nur eine Herde seyn wird? Bis dahin 
Geduld. 

He was buried in the inside of the church, then and now called after his 
name, in front of the pulpit under the floor of the altar. The church at that time 
stood with the front door facing towards the southwest. When the church was 
remodelled, in 1870, a neat tablet was placed in the wall back of the pulpit con- 
taining the following inscription : "Sacred to the Memory of the Rev. John Philip 
Boehm, one of the early pioneers of the Reformed Church, who came to this 
country about the year 1720. 

{Jones Detwiler, 
Rev. C. G. Fisher, 
H. C. Hoover." 
Dr. Harbaugh, in The Fathers of the German Reformed Church, Vol. I, 
page 289, says : On the 7th of May, Mr. Schlatter improved the occasion and 
honored his memory with a funeral sermon, delivered in the church at German- 
town ; and he testifies that " his memory is cherished as blessed by many." 



21 

down from Schoharie to Tulpehocken ; thirteen years before 
John Casper Stoever organized the Lutheran Churches at 
Philadelphia, Trappe and New Hanover; fourteen years before 
the Schwenkfelders came, and twenty-two years before Muh- 
lenberg. 

At that time k\v lawful roads had been laid out for travel, 
and he had to thread his toilsome way on horseback through 
the deep forest, over hills and across streams, over rough and 
tortuous paths. At intervals of miles apart he would come 
upon the clearing made by the hardy settler, sheltered in a 
newly made log hut. At these rude firesides the pastor was a 
welcome guest. Here he comforted the afflicted and the home- 
sick ; and at their Sabbath gatherings he brought to them those 
Gospel blessings denied to them since they had left their Ger- 
man homes. These many years he baptized the children, 
catechised the youth, married the young and buried the old. 
The record of his pastoral work, could we read it, would tell 
a thrilling tale, and would throw a flood of light upon the 
family and general history of primitive Pennsylvania.* 

The marked traits of Father Boehm's character were sin- 
cere piety, unwavering courage and stern devotion to duty. 
His lines were cast amid stormy scenes. In his youth he had 
not received a liberal education, yet he was well equipped to 
cope with every issue as it came. His rugged nature was in 
touch with his environments. His stalwart services must be 
judged from the standpoint of his time. 

A noble exhibition of practical, self-denying Christianity 
was his readiness to give religious instruction, gratuitously, to 
the thousands of German settlers. When besought to become 
the minister of these poor, neglected Christian people, he 
calmly weighed his duty to God against the demands of eccle- 
siastical formalities, and boldly decided to do the Master's 

*Pastor Boehm carefully preserved his papers and correspondence, but they 
have been lost or destroyed. Rev. Henry Harbaugh made exhaustive but unsuc- 
cessful search for them about forty years ago. See biographical sketch of Rev. 
John Philip Boehm, in The Father of the German Reformed Church. By Rev. 
Henry Harbaugh, D. D. Lancaster, Pa., 1857. Vol. I, p. 290. 



22 

work in this far-away region. The Amsterdam Classis gave him 
a perfect vindication. In their letter to him, dated June 20, 
1729, they wrote : "The call to the work of the ministry, 
made by the brethren in Pennsylvania, upon you, is judged 
lawful, because the congregation desired you and the ministry 
of the Word was so necessary. Wherefore you have done 
well to fulfill herein their earnest desire." 

Moreover, the Holland Fathers breathed this solemn 
benediction upon their co-laborer in the wilds of the New 
World, which must have inspired him as a message from 
Heaven and intensified a thousand-fold his resolution to work 
with all the power God's grace had vouchsafed to him : 

" Further, reverend brother, from our hearts we wish for 
all desirable blessings upon your person and work. The 
Father of light enlighten you by His Spirit, the Spirit of 
wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, that you 
also may enlighten others! The God of strength gird you 
with all might that, like a hero round about Solomon's bed, 
you may be armed and expert against a cry in the night ! 
The God of all grace endue you with every holy ornament, 
and make you an example of the flock, in life and faith, in 
love and purity." 

During the eventful period which followed, without aid 
or encouragement, alone in a vast field, see the patience and 
diligence with which he performed his high duties. 

When our Church was confronted with schism, how in- 
stantly he sprang to preserve its integrity. Fidelity to the 
Church and to God were the motives that ruled in him. Sel- 
fish considerations found no place in his heart. False breth- 
ren could not chill his zeal. Disparity of resources did not 
deter him. He met the peril single-handed. His fealty to his 
sacred trust was crowned with victory. 

The time has come for us to realize the magnitude of his 
work. The Reformed Church owes him an unacknowledged 
debt. His unquestioning faith and lofty courage made possi- 



23 

ble the Reformed Church of to-day. John Philip Boehm was 
the instrument of God that saved our Reformed Zion.* 

*Rev. John Philip Boehm and Anna Maria Sherer, his wife (daughter of 
Philip Sherer), had these children : Anthony William Boehm, Anna Maria Boehm, 
married Adam Moser; Sevina Boehm, Elizabeth Boehm, Maria Philippina Boehm, 
John Philip Boehm. 

In the records of Northampton county, Anthony William Boehm is described 
as the "eldest surviving son" of John Philip Boehm, whence it is inferred that one 
or more children died young. 

Rev. John Philip Boehm in addition to his pastoral duties, followed the call- 
ing of a farmer. He purchased lands at the low rates then prevailing, at several 
times and in several localities. He settled upon a farm ot two hundred acres in 
Whitpain township, Philadelphia (now Montgomery) county, and died there. 

We rind regarding his land holdings that, March 22, 1735, John Philip Boehm, 
of Whitpain Gabriel Shuler, of Salford, and Ulrich Stephen (residence not given), 
bought 150 acres of land in Lower Salford township, in the Skippack region, where 
HarJeysville now stands. July 13, 1742, Mr. Boehm bought the two-third interests 
of Gabriel Shuler and Ulrich Stephen. April 9, 1745, John Philip Boehm and 
Anna Maria, his wife, sold 100 acres, and on December 28, 1745, they sold the 
remaining 50 acres.— History of Lower Salford township. By James Y. Heckler, 
HarleysvUle, Pa.: 1888. Page 4-6. 

September 9, 1736, John Philip Boehm acquired title to 200 acres of land in 
Whitpain township, at a cost of ^165 13s. id. Upon this tract he lived, and here 
he died. Already in 1734, he was taxed and paid quit- rent on 200 acres in Whit- 
pain. 

February 5, 1740, the Proprietaries granted and confirmed to John Philip 
Boehm, 200 acres and six per cent, allowance for roads, on Saucon creek, Bucks 
(now Northampton) county; and on May 16, 1743, the same parties granted to 
him 103 acres and six per cent, allowance, in Lower Saucon township, same county. 
On the 30th day of September, 1747, John Philip Boehm and Anna Maria, his wife, 
conveyed these two tracts to their son, Anthony William Boehm. 

In temporal affairs, Pastor John Philip Boehm was prosperous. At his death 
he owned the homestead in Whitpain township, containing 200 acres. It was a 
valuable property, located in a desirable and thriving neighborhood, about fifteen 
miles from the city of Philadelphia, and provided with the improvements, stock and 
implements, found on the best plantations of the time. . 

He died without making a will. Anna Maria Boehm, his widow, renounced 
her right to administer his estate on the 6th of May, 1749, and the same day letters 
of administration were granted to John Philip Boehm, of Whitpain township, clerk 
(son of the decedent), on whose bond were as sureties Michael Cleim, of Whit- 
pain township, inn-holder, and Daniel Bouton, baker, of Philadelphia. An inven- 
tory of his personal estate was made June 5, 1749, by John Jemison, W T m. Foulke 
and John Roberts, and was appraised at ^423 10s. 7d. Among the items of his 
personal effects were: cash, ^"41.19.0; bonds and bills, ^"29.5.0; due on book ac- 
counts, ^26. 10. 1; 3 servants — 2 boys and I girl, ^30.0.0; 2 distills and two 
coolers, ^40.0.0; riding horse, saddle, bridle and whip, ^"10.0.0; 3 dozen small 
books, ,£1.0.0; 8 large books, ^1.0.0; 2 Bibles, ,£3.0.0. In the settlement, the 
administrator claims "allowance for Cash charged in the Inventory, it being the 
property of ye Elders of Skipack Meeting House and since paid to them, £31.0.0." 
Among the other credits claimed were payments to the following parties, whose 
names are frequently met in papers of that early period : 

To Golhort Armbrister £1 100 

To John Teobold End 3 3 6 

To Christopher Saur o I o 

To Jacob Fisher o 16 10 

To George Kastner 026 



24 

To Sophia Mayburry . . ^4 16 10 

To Jacob Arnt and Gabriel Sheuler and Peter Spycker 3 3° 

To Anthony Bame for Funeral Charges 4100 

The last item indicates that the elder son, Anthony William Boehm, lived on 
the Whitpain homestead at the time of the death and funeral of the aged pastor. 

Some disposition has been evinced to cast reflections upon the character of 
Boehm on account of the two stills inventoried among his effects. This is unjust. 
At that period a still was commonly found on a large farm, as is well known to 
those who are familiar with the matter. 

The administrator's account was settled February 27, 1755; the widow receiv- 
ing, as her third, ^130.0.0, and the five other heirs sums aggregating ^218.8.10. 

As stated, the Saucon lands passed into the ownership of his eldest son, 
Anthony William Boehm, in the lifetime of Pastor Boehm. The Whitpain planta- 
tion, by conveyances of the other heirs dated July 1, 1749, and February 5, 1755, 
became the property of the youngest son, John Philip Boehm. A settlement and 
adjustment of the estate between all the heirs is recorded, under date of January I, 
1 75 1, in the office of Recorder of Deeds of Philadelphia. In this instrument, John 
Philip Boehm, son of the decedent, agrees to maintain his grandfather, Philip 
Sherer. 

Among the credits, Anthony William Boehm, the oldest surviving son of 
Rev. John Philip and Anna Maria Boehm, received as his portion, by deed from 
his parents, on the 30th of September, 1747, two tracts of land in Bucks (now 
Northampton) county, Pennsylvania— that on Saucon creek containing 200 acres, 
and that in Lower Saucon township containing 103 acres, both with six per cent. 
allowance, and subject to a quit-rent of a half-penny sterling per acre per annum. 
He acquired, also, three tracts in Upper Saucon township, containing, respectively, 
20 y 2 acres, 38 acres 34 perches, and 68 acres 138 perches, all with six per cent, 
allowance. Warrants were issued December 21, 1749, and at other dates later 
for these Upper Saucon tracts, and were surveyed by land surveyor David Schultze, 
who delivered the surveys March 20, 1755, and patents were issued November 13, 
1762. Upper Saucon township was first in Bucks county, next Northampton, and 
is now in Lehigh county. In 1761, Antony Boehm was assessed ^26.0.0 in 
Upper Saucon township. All these tracts he owned at his death, which occurred, 
in Upper Saucon township, about the beginning of 1766. Letters of administra- 
tion were granted to Hannah P. Boehm on May 10, 1766. His personal estate 
was inventoried at ^"133 12s. 7d. ; among his effects were two Bibles, nine books, 
and one gun. His wife's name in a release dated February 4, 1755 is given as 
Phillis; and in the letters of administration as Hannah P. In the year 1767, 
W T idow Boehm is assessed in Lower Saucon township for 40 acres clear land and 
260 acres woodland. Anthony William and Phillis Boehm had one child — Philip 
Boehm. 

Philip Boehm, son of the foregoing, married Barbara . The names of 

their children were (among others) : Anthony Boehm, tanner ; Boehm, wife 

of Jacob Ochs ; Philip Boehm, who married a daughter of Peter Wasser. 

In 1767 and 1768, we find Philip Boehm, farmer, assessed for 80 acres clear 
land and 130 acres woodland, in Upper Saucon township, Northampton county. 
In 1774, his name appears in the same township, as a farmer, taxed for 100 acres 
clear and 150 acres woodland, and as having three children under 21. In 1779 
he was an assistant collector for Lower Saucon township. In 1780, at the election 
held October 10, he was elected coroner of Northampton county. In 1782, his 
name appears in the Lower Saucon township tax list as having a tan-yard, 3 horses, 
4 cows and 4 sheep. From 1779 to 1785, he is also described as an innkeeper in 
Lower Saucon township. 

This Philip Bcehm, a grandson of the founder of the family in America, was 
actively engaged in furthering the cause of the colonies during the Revolutionary 
war. The following extracts from the public records bear evidence to this state- 
ment : 



25 . 

" The Council of Safety, Philadelphia, March 6, 1777, wrote to Gen. Washing- 
ton that Lieutenant Colonel Bcehm of Colonel Geiger's Battalion of militia of 
Northampton county, now in camp, particularly requests that the militia might not 
be kept in service beyond their time, etc." — Penna. Archives. 

" On motion, agreed, that Philip Bcehm be appointed Paymaster of the 
Militia of the County of Northampton." — Minutes Supreme Executive Council, 
Wednesday, August 27, 177*]; Colonial Records, Vol. xz\, page 27 q. 

" Ordered, That Philip Bcehm be appointed Coroner of Northampton County 
and commissioned accordingly." — October 19, 1778, page 597. 

'■'■Ordered, That the Secretary be directed to write to Philip Bcehm, Paymaster 
of Militia of the County of Northampton, and direct him to pay off the arrearages 
due to the militia, or give Council the reasons for his non-compliance." — March 
11, 7779, page 718. 

"An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of Philip Bcehm, jun., Pay- 
master of Militia in the County of Northampton, for the sum of Four Thousand 
Pounds to be charged to his account." — May k, 1779, page 767. 

"An order was drawn on the Treasurer in favor of Mr. Philip Bcehm, Pay- 
master of the County of Northampton, for the sum of three thousand pounds, for 
paying the militia of said county, for which he is to account." — July 21, 1779 ; 
Vol. xii,page 55. 

"An application, in writing, from Philip Bcehm, paymaster of the Militia of 
the County of Northampton, requesting the sum of twenty-five hundred pounds to 
pay off the militia of that county, being read and considered." 

" Ordered, That Philip Bcehm be directed to lay before this Board an account 
of the payment of such monies as have been put into his hands for the purpose of 
paying the Militia of Northampton." — Ibid, page 506 ; Saturday, Oct. 14, 1780. 

" Resolved, That Philip Bcehm be appointed and commissioned to be Coroner 
of Northampton County " — February 4, 1780, page 243. 

In the printed statement of the financial transactions of Northampton County 
during the time of the Revolutionary war appear somewhat in detail the accounts 
of moneys handled by Philip Bcehm in the capacity of paymaster, and the supplies 
delivered to him while quartermaster of militia in 1777— '79- 

By an agreement made March 30, 1797, his son-in-law, Jacob Ochs, was 
bound to support Philip Bcehm and his wife during their natural lives ; and in a 
conveyance of real estate under date of March 13, 1815, at which time Philip and 
Barbara Bcehm, Jacob Geisinger assumed this obligation. 

Sevina Bcehm, daughter of Rev. John Philip and Anna Maria Bcehm, married 
Ludwig Bitting of Lower Milford township, Bucks (afterward Northampton, now 
Lehigh) county. Their children were Ludwig Bitting, Henry Bitting, Anthony 
Bitting, Philip Bitting, Peter Bitting. Anna Maria Bitting married Andraes 
Graber, of New Goshenhoppen ; Elizabethe Dorothea Bitting married Gabriel 
Klein, of New Goshenhoppen. Mary Catharine Bitting married, March 21, 1775, 
John Klein ; Christina Bitting married Franz Leidig, son of Rev. John Philip 
Leydich, of Frederick township. 

Ludwig Bitting was a son of Henry and Anna Catharine Bitting, who, after 
providing themselves with a passport on the 24th of April, 1723, left Freinshein 
in the Palatinate, and came to America. 

Ludwig Bitting owned land, in 1734, in Hanover township. In 1 734 he was 
naturalized. In 1749, and until his death, he lived in Lower Milford township. 
In 1 736-1 746 he was a member of the German Reformed congregation at Great 
Swamp. 1 758-' 60 he represented Northampton County in the Assembly. In his 
will, dated September 25, 1771, he gives the name of his wife as Elizabeth, whence 
we infer that he had married a second time. He was born in 1703, and died 
about the 27th of December, 1 775. 

Elizabeth Bcehm, daughter of Rev. John Philip and Anna Maria Bcehm, 
married George Shamboh, weaver, of Upper Milford township, Bucks county. In 



26 

I74°> a warrant for 230 acres of land in this township was issued to George 
Shamboh. 

Maria Philippina Boehm, youngest daughter of Rev. John Philip and Anna 
Mariah Boehm, married Cornelius Dewees, cooper. On the 26th of July, 1 745, 
Cornelius Dewees, of Whitemarsh township, Philadelphia county, bought thirty 
acres on Skippack road for ,£108.0.0. On the first of January, 1751, Cornelius 
and Maria Philippina Boehm lived in Gloucester county, West New Jersey. 

John Philip Boehm, youngest son of Rev. John Philip and Anna Maria Boehm, 
was married August 2, 1753, by the pastor of the German Reformed church of 
Philadelphia, to Anna Mariah Yost (born in Pennsylvania, May I, 1734), daughter 
of Jacob and Elizabeth Yost, of Whitpain township. Their children were: I. 
Elizabeth Boehm, born in September, 1757 ; buried November 24, 1765 ; aged 8 
years and 2 months. 2. Philip Boehm, born July 28, 1761 ; buried November I, 
1765. 3. Daniel Boehm, born March 14, 1764; died November 28, 1765. 4. 
Mary Boehm, married May 25, 1784, to William Peltz. 5. Philip Boehm, born 
August 13, 1766. 6. Jacob Boehm, born October 29, 1768; buried July 16, 1773. 
7. Daniel Boehm, born March I, 1771 ; married December 2, 1792, Catharine 
Peltz, daughter of William Peltz. 8. Elizabeth Boehm, born in March, 1778; 
buried October 30, 1788. 

John Philip Boehm, according to a settlement between the heirs, made the 
first of July, 1749, became possessed of the homestead in Whitpain township, con- 
sisting of a plantation of two hundred acres of land, with the improvements. (See 
Book G, Vol. 12, p. 450, office Recorder of Deeds, Philadelphia.) Eebruary 6, 
1759, he sold to Jacob Kurr 150 acres of the plantation, bounded by lands of 
William Thomas, John Lewis, Philip Dotterer, Peter De Haven, the road leading 
to Philadelphia, other land of John Philip Boehm, John Johnson and Christian 
Holferts. 

About the year 1760, he moved to Philadelphia, and engaged in mercantile 
pursuits. He became a member of the German Reformed church, and at once be- 
came an office bearer. In 1760, from April 2d to June 29th, he reported the alms 
money received — ^63 17s. 3j^d. At the election held January 14, 1771, he was 
chosen to be an elder ; and he held the office of elder and trustee at intervals until 
1783. During the erection of the new church edifice — the second — from 1771 to 
1774, he was active in pushing forward the work and in contributing and collect- 
ing funds. 

June 6, 1777, Philip Boehm was appointed a Justice of the Peace of the 
county of Philadelphia, with jurisdiction also over the city. 

During the Revolutionary war he rendered valuable service to the American 
cause, as the following extracts from the records show : 

"July 9, 1777, Philip Boehm and James Young, two of the justices of Phil- 
adelphia city, examined Thomas Patterson on suspicion of being inimical to 
American freedom." — Pa. Archives, Vol. vi, p. 420. 

" Philip Boehm, Esq'r, attended the Council and represented that he had ac- 
cepted the Commission of the Peace for the County of Philadelphia, and the Com- 
mission appointing him one of the Justices of the City Court, from a desire to 
render his country the assistance which it was in his power to give during a time 
of difficulty ; but he now finds that his health is so greatly impaired as to render it 
impossible for him to discharge the duties thereof, and therefore he now resigns 
his said offices." — Minutes Supreme Executive Council, September jo, 1778 ; 
Colonial Records, Vol. xi, p. j88. 

In 1778, Philip Boehm lived in a house on the west side of Second street. 
He owned besides the house in which he lived, a house on the east side of Bread 
street (otherwise called Moravian alley). Both these houses were located between 
Mulberry (Arch) and Sassafras (Race) streets. 

In i786-'88 he purchased extensively lands located in Westmoreland county 
and elsewhere, which had been donated by the State of Pennsylvania to the sol- 
diers engaged in the service of the United States during the Revolutionary war. 



2J 

Being advanced in years, and often indisposed, he made his will on the 5th of 
September, 1788. He died in Philadelphia and was buried in the Franklin Square 
graveyard of Race Street Reformed Church, on the 17th of September, 1790. He 
bequeathed ^"50 to his church, and named as his executors his wife, Mary, and 
his esteemed friends Jacob Schreiner, leather-dresser of the city of Philadelphia, 
and Seymour Hart, distiller of the Northetn Liberties. After his removal to Phil- 
adelphia he wrote his name, and was known as, Philip Bohm. 

Daniel Boehm, grandson of Pastor Bcehm, succeeded to the business of his 
father, Philip Bcehm. October 15, 1790, then a minor, he advertised that he would 
continue it at the same place, on Second street, nine doors above Race. From 
1 79 1 to 1802, Daniel Boehm was a grocer and merchant, at 96 North Second 
street. Philip Boehm, merchant, at 96 North Second street, appears in the city 
directory. In 1809 and ''10 Daniel Boehm was grocer at 402 North Second street. 
From 1818 to 1821 he was engaged in manufacturing chocolate and mustard. 
March I, 1825, Daniel Boehm was still living. His children were: Philip 
Boehm; William Boehm; Eliza Boehm; Daniel Boehm. 

Philip Boehm. brother to Daniel Boehm, is described in the Philadelphia 
Directory for 1793, as a merchant, residing at 96 North Second street. He died 
before November 19, 1806. 



